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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 19. AMUSEMENTS, PARKS, AND RECREATION |
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Chapter 19-15. FISH AND WILDLIFE |
Section 19-1574. WILDLIFE PROTECTION: CONTROL OF SPECIFIC SPECIES
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1574.1A wildlife control operator and wildlife control services provider shall recommend and employ non-lethal means in preference to lethal means for the control of problem wildlife.
1574.2The following wildlife shall be controlled using the methods outlined in this section and § 1576:
(a) Birds
Common Name
Scientific Name
Budgerigar
Melopsittacus undulatus
European starling
Sturnus vulgaris
Graylag goose
Anser anser
House sparrow
Passer domesticus
Mute swan
Cygnus olor
Rock pigeon
Columba livia
(b) Mammals
Common Name
Scientific Name
Rodents
Deer mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus
Gray squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Groundhog
Marmota monax
White-footed mouse
Peromyscus leucopus
Small Mammals
Eastern mole
Scalopus aquaticus
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Red fox
Vulpes vulpes
Star-nosed mole
Condylura cristala
Large Mammals
Black bear
Ursus americanus
Coyote
Canis latrans
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
(c) Reptiles
Common Name
Scientific Name
Black rat snake
Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta
1574.3Except as provided in § 1574.7 below, any species identified as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) as listed in the District’s Wildlife Action Plan, which may be found on the Department website, may not be euthanized, killed, relocated, distressed, displaced, or otherwise harmed without written permission from the Department.
1574.4The Department may approve the request to control a particular SGCN animal for the following reasons:
(a) If the animal is causing damage to personal property or threatening public health or safety;
(b) If the animal is sick or injured; or
(c) Additional reasons on a case-by-case basis.
1574.5A migratory bird shall be controlled only in accordance with the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 703-712) and its’ implementing regulations, and as follows:
(a) A nest with eggs or young may not be moved, relocated, destroyed, or altered in any way without first obtaining a federal permit.
(b) A nest with no eggs or young may be removed from structures such as boats, docks, and construction equipment, or relocated without a federal permit.
1574.6 Bats are SGCN species and except as provided in § 1574.7, may only be controlled with written permission and guidance from the Department, including time restrictions for non-lethal exclusion of bat colonies, and decontamination protocols to prevent the spread of White-nose Syndrome.
1574.7A wildlife control operator may humanely remove a SGCN from the interior of a residence, commercial, or government building without obtaining prior Department approval if:
(a) The animal is trapped and unable to leave on their own;
(b) The animal is released immediately on-site, or taken to a licensed rehabilitation facility if it is sick, injured, or orphaned; and
(c) The Department is notified within twenty-four (24) hours of the removal.
1574.8Amphibians and turtles shall not be controlled by wildlife control operators.
1574.9For each transport of wildlife out of the District, the wildlife control operator or wildlife control provider must first obtain written permission from the receiving jurisdiction and then request and receive written permission from the Department.
1574.10For each transport of wildlife into the District, the wildlife control operator or wildlife control provider must first obtain written permission from the Department and then obtain written permission from the jurisdiction the wildlife is leaving.
1574.11Wildlife control operators shall notify the Department prior to performing any wildlife control on black bears or coyotes.